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tearing 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of tearingnext
as in cutting

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tearing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of tear
1
as in ripping
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it angrily tore the letter to shreds

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in yanking
to separate or remove by forceful pulling tore the book from his hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tearing
Adjective
By acting as a biomechanical bridge, soft enough for muscle, strong enough for rigid parts, the tendons eliminate the tearing and detachment problems that have plagued previous designs. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
Fast movement feels more immediate, while VRR helps reduce distracting screen tearing when frame rates change. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026 Like carrying three handleless paper bags from the trunk in one trip, your roster is suddenly a fragile, tearing mess. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 Correa tearing an ankle tendon in May during a freak batting practice accident quieted them. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Everyone tuned in to see Patrick Mahomes make his return nine months after tearing his ACL and LCL last December. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026 The third-year pro out of LSU played in only four games last season after tearing his right ACL. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026 Daniel Jones was 19 of 31 for 166 yards with a TD and an interception in his first game since tearing his right Achilles tendon in December. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 13 Sep. 2026 On the Weapons set, the few days devoted to the kids tearing Gladys apart also tore you apart. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026 In Dana Point, relentless waves damaged several beachfront homes, destroying decks and tearing through walls. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearing
  1. penetrating
  2. ripping
  3. yanking
  4. hurrying
  5. biting
  6. grabbing
  7. speeding
  8. stinging
Adjective
  • There are two types of TBIs, penetrating and non-penetrating.
    — Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • One spring day in Paris many years ago, my wife, Diana, a most penetrating photographer, capable of seeing like no one else, decided, as an experiment, to walk across the city blindfolded.
    — Hisham Matar, Harper's Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024
Definition of penetrating
Verb
  • On Sunday, a severe thunderstorm swept through the Kansas City area, leaving thousands of residents without power, ripping the roof off of one building, and canceling a portion of the annual SantaCaliGon Days festival in Independence.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Mensah looked as good as the numbers suggested, too, ripping NFL-level throws and distributing the ball to his myriad playmakers, namely wide receiver Malachi Toney.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of ripping
Verb
  • Sanders made field goals of 33, 51 and 52 yards, rebounding after yanking a 54-yard attempt short and left.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Once the drop trap — a simple wire cage triggered by yanking on a cord — is set up with an enticing mix of sardines and shards of roast chicken on a cardboard tray inside, everyone moves out of sight behind massive logs a few yards away.
    — Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of yanking
Verb
  • Before hurrying away from his tent on the beach, Saleh was asked what would happen if US support never came.
    — Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Corle continued flagging and minutes later McCoy was back on the trail, hurrying to catch up.
    — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of hurrying
Adjective
  • The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
Definition of biting
Verb
  • The helicopter crashed in a driveway between two warehouses, smashing into a pair of truck cargo containers while the news crew tried grabbing video footage of a serious collision involving a Metro bus that also left two people dead.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Schlereth, a former Pro Bowl guard, did not agree with the penalty in general, as Brewer was grabbing Raiders defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi’s jersey in the chest area.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of grabbing
Verb
  • During the chase, Gonzaba hit an electrical transformer and then drove onto the boardwalk from Pacific Beach Drive, speeding near pedestrians, according to the release.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The company is speeding up innovation, expanding into newer channels like Amazon, TikTok Shop and Sephora, putting more money behind its brands and cutting costs.
    — Stephanie Link, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of speeding
Adjective
  • Biting and stinging arthropods, such as wasps, mosquitos and spiders, account for five states.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • That move came just as the clock was running out Friday on stopgap levies the president imposed after a stinging defeat for other tariffs at the Supreme Court.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of stinging

Browse Nearby Words

tearful
tearing
tearing down
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Cite this Entry

“Tearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearing. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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